Contribution of Universities to the US-NDP Balraj Singh McMaster University Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (Budget briefing, DOE office of nuclear physics, Feb 12, 2010)

Contributors (~10% of US-NDP budget) Triangle University Nuclear Laboratory (TUNL): 2.2 FTE ENSDF and data dissemination for A=2-20 Nuclear Reaction code National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST): 0.2 FTE Nuclear Reaction cross sections Department of Physics and Astronomy, McMaster University: 2.0 FTE (1.6 DOE, 0.4 NSERC) ENSDF and ENSDF-related compilations Nuclear Astrophysics Reactions (evaluations, experiments)

Nuclear Structure Evaluation for A=2-20 TUNL Nuclear Data Evaluation Project J.H. Kelley, C.K. Walker, H. Weller (ret.) Nuclear Structure Evaluation for A=2-20 “Energy Levels of Light Nuclei” reviews in NP-A ENSDF files for A=2-20 XUNDL A=2-20 (new activity in 2009) Web interface for A=3-20 Information Connie Kalback Walker maintains and develops the pre-equilibrium reaction code PRECO Issues: how to create stable long-term positions for younger scientists to build a career in data evaluation ?

NIST NEUTRON CROSS SECTION STANDARDS PROGRAM Allan D. Carlson Major effort of our program is improvements in the standards. Almost all neutron cross section measurements are relative to these standards. Any improvement in a standard improves all measurements made relative to that standard. The effort includes both evaluation and measurement aspects. Our primary effort has been a leading role in the evaluation of the standards through international collaboration. Initially an IAEA CRP with 7 countries, followed by an IAEA Data Development Project with 5 countries. We maintain a small experimental program to improve the standards. We rely on collaboration and encouragement of experiments to improve the database. Problems/Issues/Directions About ~ FY-13, a principal contributor to the program will be phasing out. We need additional funding (~0.1 FTE) to provide overlap between him and a successor. We have recently improved our capabilities at NIST to make standard cross section measurements. We would like to use them to improve the standards database with appropriate work. Some additional funding would be required.

McMaster University A.A. Chen, B. Singh, J. Chen, J.A. Cameron 85% effort in ENSDF and ENSDF-related activities (XUNDL, NSR, NDS); responsible for 25 mass chains. McMaster’s current contribution to databases: ENSDF: ~18% XUNDL: ~90% NSR (since Oct 2007): ~25% 15% (0.25 FTE) in nuclear astrophysics, evaluation of reaction rates relevant to stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis. Closely tied to Alan’s research program in accelerator-based experiments at TRIUMF, RIKEN, LLNL, Yale, etc.

McMaster (cont.) Emphasis on training and mentoring new evaluators for ENSDF. Local through post-doctoral fellowships; other countries through visits, workshop and communications. Involvement of undergraduate students in compilation work and developing computer codes. Involvement of a senior Nuclear Physicist as a volunteer for ENSDF work for many years.

McMaster (Cont.): FUTURE Application pending for a 3-year renewal grant for July 2010-June 2013, to support 1.6 FTE (0.6 FTE perm, 1.0 FTE temp). Based on the outcome of this application, program will be carried until FY-13 I plan to take formal retirement sometime in FY-13. Data Program at McMaster should continue with my successor for Nuclear Structure evaluations. Benefits: low overhead costs; involvement of undergraduate students. Through post-doctoral fellowships, we hope that by FY-13, a suitable candidate will replace me.